How do I combat a sore throat during pregnancy?

Question

I've got a really persistant sore throat which, despite my best efforts, refuses to go away. I've done the honey and lemon (yummy!) and Lockets and Vicks, but nothing seems to shift it, and it feels like I have golf balls in my throat whenever I swallow. Plus, the cough is keeping me up at nights - even more than I'm normally up for with all the peeing and insomnia.

I've been to the doctor, who's prescribed some Difflam and paracetemol, and pretty much told me to ride it out. The Difflam doesn't work for very long, though the paracetemol is great.

Does anyone have any nice home remedies besides the ones I've already tried - ones that would be safe during pregnancy? I don't really want to rely on paracetemol all the time if I can honestly help it. I know it's safe, but just for piece of mind, I'll use something else if I can that works just as well, but isn't a pain killer.

Thanks for the help

Answer 1

WHEN YOU SAY COUGH IS KEEPING YOU UP AT NIGHT, THAT MAKES ME WONDER IF YOU HAVE A SINUS INFECTION AND THE DRAINAGE IS CAUSING THE SORE THROAT AND COUGH AT NIGHT. TWO THINGS THAT ARE SAFE WITH PREGNANCY, USE OTC SALINE NASAL SPRAY TO HELP CLEAN OUT THE NASAL PASSAGES OF DRAINAGE AND MILD GARGLLING WITH WARM SALT WATER TO SOOTHE THE THROAT. IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DURING YOUR PREGNANCY, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR TO BE SURE IT IS OK TO USE THE SALINE SPRAY . YOU WILL BE INGESTING THIS AND INCREASED SALT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED B/P DURING PREGNANCY. IF HE AGREES IT IS OK, USE THE SALINE SPRAY FREQUENTLY, AND COPIOUSLY. YOU CAN USE IT BY LYING ON TH E BED, HANGING YOUR HEAD OVER THE SIDE AND DRIPPING IT FROM THE BOTTLE INTO YOUR NOSE OR, BETTER YET, WITH THE USE OF A NASAL SYRINGE., A RUBBER BALL SYRINGE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE OR IF YOU CAN'T FIND ONE GET AN EAR SYRINGE. THIS WILL WASH OUT THE AREA BETTER AND YOU CAN SPIT OUT THE EXCESSTHAT DRAINS INTO YOUR THROAT. THIS IS PREFERABLE TO USING A SPRAY. YOU WANT TO GET SALINE THAT IS EQUAL TO THE SALINE NORMALLY FOUND IN THE TISSUES. THIS WILL NOT CAUSE A DRYING EFFECT. YOU CAN PURCHASE 'NORML SALINE' RRIGATION I N A 500CC BOTTLE FROM THE PHARMACY. IT IS STERILE . DO NOT TRY TO MAKE THE SALINE SOLUTION YOURSELF .

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You could try gargling with salt water?

Also just having a spoonful of organic honey can coat the throat, stopping any tickles which make you cough, as well as being a natural antiseptic.

I also try eating rough foods, a baguette for example, as this sloughs away at any infection.

I have found a website that contains a lot of different remedies - always check first that they are safe to use in pregnancy.

http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_soret.htm

If all else fails then I would be asking my Dr for some antibiotics (if there is infection present) as it is no good suffering with the soreness and lack of sleep at a time when you need all the sleep you can get!

Good luck & I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 4

Boy can I empathize with you. I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my youngest- and the doctor told me the same thing. I was able to find throat lozenges and spray that numbed up things for a short while. It's a product called Choloraseptic, and comes in a cherry flavor. I don't know if you can get in at the chemist there or not- but if you can it does help a bit. I ended up just nearly constantly sipping nearly freezing cold liquids to keep my throat moist. I also froze bits of fruit for the cold juice. I found if I kept the throat moist, it hurt a lot less. And cold was definitely better than hot.
My cough got to the point I wasn't able to sleep either, and between the throat and lack of sleep I started losing weight. I began to think I might just cough the baby out, and I wouldn't have minded. At that point, the doctor actually suggested a toddy. I don't care for whiskey, so I made mine more of a rum toddy. I only did it twice, in the evening before bed, and the sleep actually seemed to help me turn the corner. I would check with your doctor before doing that one, though.
If you can't find the Chloraseptic, you could ask the doctor about a topical lidocaine gel or spray, like the dentist uses to numb your gums before your injection. I had that as well, though mine was nasty tasting, it relieved things so I could at least swallow the soup.
You have my sincere sympathies. I was ill for nearly a full month, for the same reasons- you can't have the antibiotics or cough syrups normally used, and riding it out is all that's left. I hope you find something to help, and get to feeling better soon.

Answer 5

You could try gargling with warm salt water, I have found this shifts a sore throat pretty quickly but this wont provide any short term relief. I always use the honey and lemon in warm water, are you using fresh lemons and good quality honey (maybe eucalyptus honey would provide extra relief) the real stuff works a lot better than an over the counter bottle of honey and lemon.

Hope you feel better soon!

Answer 6

Yes it does have something to do with it. I had sever heartburn with my son (13)and couldn't take anything but some maylox. Now when I was pregnant with my daughter (4) the doctor told me I could take any OTC heartburn pills. I take the generic form of Zantac I think. It is called Ranitidine. You can get a bottle at wal-mart for about $4.83 for 30 or goto Sam's and get 240 pills for $7.84. It works great. That is where the sore throat is coming from. Not to mention they say alot of heartburn means a baby with a headfull of hair. Found it to be true with my kids. My son came out needing a haircut. Long hair!

Answer 7

Difflam Pregnancy

Answer 8

Now everyone can cure infertility using this natural remedy http://pregnancyhelps.info
infertility can run in the family and one of the first things the doctor asks you when you go to a fertility clinic is your family history regarding cases of infertility or other reproductive issues.
If infertility is caused by genetic disorder then it's not unusual that one of the kids (your mom) doesn't have it and another does (your aunt).
two months of trying is still to early to be concerned about the fact that you might be infertile and it's also quite early to go to a fertility specialist. Go to a regular Obgyb to get a closer insight and see what ways there are are to improve your fertility rate.
Also remove alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes from your life because they might influence your chances too. Stress is also a risk factor when it comes to infertility.

Answer 9

You don’t need to exercise for long periods of time. Short, sharp sets of exercise will produce better results in the event you work hard. Get a skipping rope, skip for two a few minutes, do push ups for a minute or so, skip for two minutes, rest for example minute. Then change the push as much as something else like sit ups and also do the set again. Repeat it five times and it’s a rapid, effective workout that will improve results than a long operate or swim.

Answer 10

I have found garggling with warm salt water works pretty good. Eucalyptus in boiling water, and breath the vapors through your mouth, and what you have already done. I was in a bad way at a ski resort once had they had a eucalyptus steam room, 45 minutes in there and then straight to bed, 6 hours later the cold/flu was completly gone.